Career-Ready with CTMA: Access Hiring Grants Starting July 15, 2019

UPDATE: View the 2020 application page for Career-Ready with CTMA.

Ontario-based automotive suppliers are constantly seeking high-quality manufacturing employees. Recruiting youth workers is a great way to build your team, which is why the new Career-Ready with CTMA program has been launched, starting today, July 15. The program is specifically designed to close the skilled trades gap in the Machine, Tool, Die & Mould (MTDM) sector and enable students, recent graduates, and new apprentices the opportunity to receive training and direct work experiences.

Career-Ready with CTMA offers an incentive of $3,000 to $5,000 per youth hired for a 10- to 16-week period. Employers can offset training and employment costs for up to eight youth.

Hiring grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis for employers meeting the program’s eligibility criteria. Given the limited nature of funding, manufacturers should apply soon to maximize their chances of success. If interested in applying, please contact Mentor Works to get started on the application process. All applications for the program are completed by Mentor Works on behalf of the employer and sent to CTMA for review. Companies should hire their candidate after funding approval has been communicated; all work placements must be complete by April 10, 2020.

What is Career-Ready with CTMA? Hiring Grants for Automotive Suppliers

Career-Ready with CTMA is an Ontario government funding program administered by the Canadian Tooling and Machining Association (CTMA). It’s designed to integrate more youth workers into the Machine, Tool, Die & Mould (MTDM) sector by helping employers hire and train them for in-demand roles. The Career-Ready with CTMA program directly offsets employment costs so that the new worker can learn valuable skills for 10-16 weeks. After this period, employment can continue and both the employer and employee benefit from enhanced skillsets.

MTDM employers can access funding by hiring student interns, recent graduates, and apprentices. CTMA can help facilitate a matchmaking process if companies can’t find a suitable candidate.

While companies do not have to be a CTMA member to access the program, CTMA members have priority access to funding. There are no fees for CTMA members and non-members to apply to the Career-Ready with CTMA program.

Funding Contribution and Stacking with Additional Incentives

Successful applicants to the Career-Ready with CTMA program may access up to $3,000 to $5,000 per candidate hired, per 10- to 16-week work period. The main difference between these two contribution levels is the type of candidate hired. While most candidates will qualify for the $3,000 contribution, only candidates that have a self-identified disability are eligible for up to $5,000 in hiring grants. Employers can access funding for up to eight candidates, and funding may be available to support multiple internship units for the same candidate if additional training is needed.

CTMA hiring grants can even be stacked with federal hiring incentives to help employers access up to 100% of the candidate’s employment costs. Federal incentives vary depending on candidate type, but can generally support up to the following amounts:

• Co-op Students: Up to 100% of candidate’s wages to a maximum $8k-$12k;
• Recent Graduates: Up to 100% of candidate’s wages to a maximum $15k-$18k; and
• Apprentices: Up to 100% of candidate’s wages to a maximum $11k-$13k.

Employer Eligibility for Career-Ready with CTMA

To access Career-Ready with CTMA funding, employers must:

• Derive at least 50% of revenues from the automotive manufacturing sector;
• Operate in the Machine, Tool, Die & Mould industry; and
• Operate in Ontario.

Note: Non-CTMA members must maintain fewer than 1,000 employees.

Candidate Eligibility for Career-Ready with CTMA

To be eligible for companies to hire and access Career-Ready with CTMA funding towards, candidates must:

• Be a new apprentice, co-op student (currently enrolled in an Ontario diploma, certificate, or degree program), or a recent graduate (within 18 months); and
• Be an Ontario resident that can legally work in Canada.

Placement/Role Eligibility for Career-Ready with CTMA

To be eligible for Career-Ready with CTMA hiring grants, the candidate’s role must:

• Be full-time and at least 10-16 weeks in duration;
• Pay candidates at least $14/hour for the duration of the program;
• Begin no later than February 7, 2020 (employment can continue after the funding period has ended); and
• Not begin until a funding agreement has been signed.

While CTMA members can apply for funding to support any manufacturing-related roles, non-members must target priority roles, including:

• Tool and die manufacturing;
• Mould making;
• CNC machining/precision metal working;
• Robotics and automation;
• Machine tool building;
• 3D printing and additive manufacturing;
• Gauges and fixtures building; and
• Computer-assisted design (CAD).

Next Steps: How to Apply for CTMA Hiring Grants

Employers interested in the Career-Ready with CTMA program are encouraged to contact Mentor Works for assistance throughout the application process. As a program partner, Mentor Works will work with all funding applicants to gather necessary information and develop the applications. After an employer’s application is complete, Mentor Works sends it to CTMA for review. Once a funding decision has been reached, employers can hire the candidate and establish a timeframe for the work period to be completed.

CTMA hiring grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis. With a limited pool of funding, employers that are a good fit for the program should apply as soon as possible. Contact Mentor Works to begin your application.